The 2015 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Steps off Saturday, July 4 at 9AM at the intersection of Slade and Douglas Avenues, then proceeds south on Douglas thru the NorthEast Neighborhood Association, into the heart of downtown Elgin, and ends at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues.

This year’s theme is “American Pastimes”. Please join the City of Elgin and the Downtown Neighborhood Association in celebrating those who have served our country and community.

The DNA is busy planning the 2014 parade, but here are some highlights from 2013:

2013 PARADE ENTRIES:

Over 105 confirmed parade units, more than 100 vehicles and 25 floats, and over 2,000 walkers participating, crowd of 10,000-15,000 parade enthusiasts took advantage of the warm weather to take in Elgin’s annual summertime rite of passage!

Click here to download the 2013 Parade Packet, which includes a complete list of 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Presented by Advocate Sherman Hospital parade participants (with individual staging block listed in parenthesis) as well as the 2013 parade staging map with parade route, shuttle bus drop off points, listing of parking areas and restrooms, and disbandment routes. Also included is the Parade Waiver which needs to be completed for all those participating in the City of Elgin’s 4th of July Parade.

MARCHING THRU TIME:

2013’s theme for the City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Presented by Advocate Sherman Hospital is “Elgin Marching Thru Time” – a timeline-based, community celebration of the individuals and organizations who have contributed to Elgin’s rich history as well as an acknowledgement of the landmark anniversaries several area businesses and groups are celebrating.

The parade’s distinguished judging panel, consisting of Elgin’s ghostly historic forefathers from the Elgin Area Historical Society’s annual Cemetery Walk, will name a first, second and third place winner in each of the “Elgin Marching Thru Time” judging categories.

PARADE GRAND MARSHALS

2013 marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. Representatives from the Elgin Woman’s Club, the organization that was instrumental in bringing Sherman Hospital to the Elgin community, will serve as this year’s parade Grand Marshals.

Founded by more than 30 women in June of 1887, the Elgin Woman’s Club’s very first project was to establish and run a hospital in the booming and prosperous town of Elgin. Henry Sherman, farmer, Elgin businessman, and part-owner of the Elgin National Watch Factory, learned of the club’s plan and agreed to donate a two-story house to serve as the hospital’s site. Thanks to the efforts of the Elgin Woman’s Club, Sherman Hospital opened its doors on July 7, 1888 and the two organizations have been community partners ever since.

Before the Elgin 4th parade steped off, dozens of pretty and patriotic pooches put their best paws forward in the third annual Kountry Pet Resort Pooch Parade, which began at 8:30am at Ann Street and Douglas Avenue.

Just before the National Anthem, to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, Elgin City Councilman John Steffen delivered a reenactment reading of this legendary speech to the crowd assembled at the front of the parade route at Slade & Douglas Avenues in the role of President Abraham Lincoln.

This year’s National Anthem was performed by Jeorge Holmes at the front of the parade route at Slade & Douglas Avenues, and by a quartet of Elgin OPERA singers near the end of the parade route at Symphony and Douglas Avenues.

Members of the Elgin Sister City delegation from Cauquenes, Chile also walked with representatives from the City of Elgin’s entry into the parade.

2014 PARADE ROUTE & STREET CLOSURES:

The Elgin 4th Parade route begins at the intersection of Slade and Douglas Avenues, proceeds south on Douglas thru the NorthEast Neighborhood Association, into the heart of downtown Elgin, and ends at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues.

The following streets in downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and vehicles parked along these streets after 6 AM will be towed:

Kimball St. from Dundee Ave. to N. Grove Ave.

Douglas Ave. from River Bluff Rd. to E. Chicago St.

Highland Ave. from Spring St. to N. Grove Ave.

Symphony from Douglas Ave. to Spring St.

The following streets in the adjacent NENA neighborhood will be closed for staging and for the parade route from 6AM to Noon. No parked cars will be allowed on these streets during this time. Driveway access will be limited beginning at 6AM.

CARS PARKED ON THESE STREETS ON JULY 4 AFTER 6AM WILL BE TOWED:

N. Grove Ave. from Kimball St. to River Bluff Rd.

Brook St. from Kimball St. to River Bluff Rd.

River Bluff Rd. from Spring St. to N. Grove Ave.

Douglas Ave. from River Bluff Rd. to Chicago St.

Parking will be allowed on the east-west streets between Spring St. and N. Grove Ave. though access will be very limited from 9-11AM while the parade is in progress.

MEDIA:

Jeff Myers and Councilman John Prigge will provide play-by-play of the entire City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Presented by Advocate Sherman Hospital from their broadcast position in front of the Elgin Police Department. The Elgin 4th Parade will be rebroadcast throughout the month of July on Channel 17. Kyle Bault will serve as on-site parade announcer over the loudspeakers for parade goers gathered around the performing area near the end of the parade route.

PARADE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

There is still plenty of time to sign up to serve as a volunteer for the 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Presented by Advocate Sherman Hospital. Volunteer opportunities include Block Captains, Parade Route Ambassadors and Set-Up and Take-Down Crews. Shifts are from 6:30-11:30AM. All volunteers will receive a parade t-shirt and free breakfast at the volunteer orientation beginning at 6AM. For more information about parade volunteer opportunities, contact the Downtown Neighborhood Association at 847-488-1456 or e-mail info@downtownelgin.com.

POST PARADE FESTIVITIES:

TBA

SPONSORS:

The City of Elgin, Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Fourth of July Parade Committee wish to thank the 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade sponsors:

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is excited to welcome back our partners from Sherman Health as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade.

The parade steps off Thursday, July 4 at 9am at Slade and Douglas Avenues and ends at Highland and Douglas Avenues. The theme of this year’s Elgin 4th of July Parade is “Elgin Marching Thru Time” – a celebration of the City of Elgin through the years from it’s founding to it’s bright, bold future.

Online Parade Applications for the 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade – Presented by Sherman Health are now available. Application deadline is Friday, May 24.

Applications for the City of Elgin’s 2013 4th of July Parade are now available online. Deadline to submit completed parade applications in Friday, May 24.

The City of Elgin’s 2013 4th of July Parade steps off Thursday, July 4 at 9am beginning at the intersection of Slade and Douglas Avenues, proceeds south on Douglas thru the NENA (NorthEast Neighborhood Association) neighborhood, into the heart of downtown Elgin and finishes at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Elgin Marching Thru Time” – a celebration of Elgin’s history from its founding over 175 years ago to its bright and bold future. This year, all parade entries – not just floats – will be encouraged to decorate their units or dress in period specific attire. Parade judges will select a winner from each of the following time periods:

Judges will also determine the best decorated floats in the Business, Children’s and Open categories and the public will also select a “People’s Choice Winner” from all of the parade participants in online voting the weekend after the 4th of July Parade.

Stay tuned to DowntownElgin.com for the latest updates on the City of Elgin’s 2013 4th of July Parade.

Like Us on Facebook

Jennifer Fukala on Elgin Today

A Special thanks to Mayor David Kaptain for inviting our Executive Director, Jennifer Fukala, to join him for an interview with Jeffery Myers to discuss the many positive happenings and events Elgin has to offer. Please watch the whole video or if you're short on time, catch Jennifer around the 13 minute mark. Thank you!

Downtown Elgin Events

Looking for Downtown Elgin events? Did you know that we feature hundreds of Downtown Elgin events on our Facebook page? Check it out today!
Please visit and follow our Facebook page HERE.